EDWinter2

The Senior Ambassador gave us our instructions before the reception with the alien dignitaries. “Whatever you do, don’t call them ‘Catgirls.’ They’re a superior technological force, and we’re representing the whole Terran League,” she said. I forgot it by my second glass of champagne.
“You know,” I said to one of the representatives, “There’s an ancient Earth culture that worshipped cats. And everybody always jokes that their monuments were built by aliens!”
“Nonsense,” he replied. The Egyptians used slave labor.” His ears went suddenly flat. “Er, or so I’ve heard.”
The subsequent negotiations took a sudden turn in Earth’s favor.